March 2009 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Global climate change references
by Jerry Foote 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

One source that hasn't been mentioned among the group is the references given in the back of Michael Crichton's book "State of Fear". Whether Mr. Crichton was paid by oil companies, environmentalists or the federal government, I can't say. Whether the references are biased, all inclusive or self serving again I can't say. With the copyright date of 2004 I hardly think that they are that far out of date. However, I do note that he provided over 33 pages of references.....something to think about. And study. Jerry Foote ScopeCraft, Inc. 4175 E. Red Cliffs Dr. Kanab, UT 84741 435-899-1255 jfoote(a)scopecraft.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Darn Martians
by stormcrow60＠xmission.com 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

Hi Robert, Where in the world are you getting your information from regarding most scientists thinking that global warming is not exacerbated by humans? This is a preposterous statement. As far as environmental claims of the past, perhaps they were a bit premature... but look around you. They are coming to pass before our very eyes. Do you really think the Earth can continue to support billions of more humans? Our food production in the last several years has topped out, we have reached peak oil... global warming is real and humans are not helping. The oceans are dying due to overfishing... need I go on? As far as using the term psuedo-scientist... well if it walks like a duck and acts like a duck. Please, when a "pseudo-scientist" manipulates data to serve their own purpose, they need to be called out for what they are. The stakes are too high. NASA and other government entities may not get the conclusions right every single time. But they are not cooking the data intentionally. Mr. Montlocke or whatever his name is, and other psuedo scinetists are doing just that. I do not believe calling out a researcher that intentionally misleads the public reflects badly upon me. But, continuing to defend obvious science quacks reflects poorly on you. Anyway, thanks for your feedback. Jon

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Frontiers of Science Lecture Series
by stormcrow60＠xmission.com 08 Mar '09

08 Mar '09

Hi Roger, Thanks for the heads up, the lecture sounds really interesting. Jon

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Digital Conversion Project
by Chuck Hards 08 Mar '09

08 Mar '09

I finally started my digital conversion project. Who knows how long this will take, but I had an hour tonight so I scanned and processed one of my shots of Hale-Bopp, taken the morning of either March 7, 8, or 9, 1997- I need to do some research to pin it down since my notations with the negatives aren't precise enough. Here is the first frame scanned, with a bit of processing: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1229&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 I have several frames at the same image scale from that session, and hope to stack them in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. We'll see what happens. These are 5 megapixel scans of the original 35mm negatives. While rummaging around through the old negs, I also found some shots of Hyakutake taken from my backyard, no lie, and I'll scan the best negs of that session, as well. Also many old ATM efforts, so the coming months should see a few interesting tidbits come out from the catacombs.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Large achromatic objective for sale
by Wayne Sumner 08 Mar '09

08 Mar '09

Chuck, If it's still available, I'd like to buy it. I want to add a refractor to the Northridge High School observatory. Thanks, Wayne A. Sumner Math/Physics/Astronomy/Engineering Boy's Tennis Coach Northridge High School Davis School District (801) 402-8610 >>> Chuck Hards <chuck.hards(a)gmail.com> 03/07/09 5:01 PM >>> A few months ago, when I had the chance I purchased both of the 127mm objectives from Surplus Shed. It turns out that the shorter focus objective is the one best suited to my eventual project, so I am offering the longer focus one for sale locally, before I list it on eBay. It is stock number L3967, MTD 127mm x 1200mm FL telescope objective. That is, a mounted achromatic, air-spaced objective, 127mm diameter, 1200mm focal length, or 5", f/9.4. This will make a fine visual telescope; a huge finder for a large Dob or 8"+ refractor, or imaging objective for narrow-band tri-color or LRGB imaging. See the Surplus Shed listing here: http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l3967.html Fred only gets a few of these at year-long intervals. I will sell mine for what I paid for it, $159 plus the $5 shipping fee they charged me, total $164.00. A five-inch refractor objective of this quality for that price is a steal. First come, first served. I only have the one. Contact me at: chuckhards(a)yahoo.com Thanks! C. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy(a)mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Lulin -- obs report
by Canopus56 08 Mar '09

08 Mar '09

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090225.html Yep, Lulin's definitely a useless cur. It's only worth looking at those once-in-40 year comets like McNaught or what's that other 40 year old comet you guys are always calling the "big one"? -:) Kurt

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Darn Martians
by stormcrow60＠xmission.com 08 Mar '09

08 Mar '09

Hey All, Sorry, I did it again. Forgot to edit the subject. But since I woke up this morning and realized I had lost an hour due to DST, I will blame it on that. He he. Anyhow, please see the links from NASA and NOAA. Basically, the conclusions of both of these monumental science organizations are the same; global warming is being exacerbated by human activity. No graphs that hurt the eyes... pretty much all in plain English. These are the only sources I take into consideration regarding global warming. All other sources are just using the data provided by these government entities. Why would I believe some obscure researcher at Yale or wherever, when I can go right to the source? NASA, NOAA and IPCC are the ones recording this data. They have the satellite network, they have the infrastructure to gather this data. I would trust them to be able to interpret their own data. I would not trust an external researcher to over turn the government researchers' conclusions with their own data. Why would I? Why would anybody? That is not a scientific or logical option. Jon http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/global_warming_worldbook.html http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080619_climatereport.html http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html#q1

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Large achromatic objective for sale
by Chuck Hards 07 Mar '09

07 Mar '09

A few months ago, when I had the chance I purchased both of the 127mm objectives from Surplus Shed. It turns out that the shorter focus objective is the one best suited to my eventual project, so I am offering the longer focus one for sale locally, before I list it on eBay. It is stock number L3967, MTD 127mm x 1200mm FL telescope objective. That is, a mounted achromatic, air-spaced objective, 127mm diameter, 1200mm focal length, or 5", f/9.4. This will make a fine visual telescope; a huge finder for a large Dob or 8"+ refractor, or imaging objective for narrow-band tri-color or LRGB imaging. See the Surplus Shed listing here: http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/l3967.html Fred only gets a few of these at year-long intervals. I will sell mine for what I paid for it, $159 plus the $5 shipping fee they charged me, total $164.00. A five-inch refractor objective of this quality for that price is a steal. First come, first served. I only have the one. Contact me at: chuckhards(a)yahoo.com Thanks! C.

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Re: [Utah-astronomy] Central Stars in Planetary Nebula
by Jay Eads 07 Mar '09

07 Mar '09

Erik and all, Joe in his blog posted a link to a web site that has great info on planetary and which ones are visible by season. The Helix is found on the fall one and here is that link: http://www.blackskies.org/seasonbst4.html Here is the link for the entire site (warning, it plays a midi classical song when you go there): http://www.blackskies.org/index1.html I've been using the site to observe PN's and have found it to be very helpful. Jay

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Central Stars in Planetary Nebula
by erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net 07 Mar '09

07 Mar '09

Hi All, As I recall, we had a discussion on central stars in PN. I remember searching the Helix because someone said the Helix does not have one. I recently searched my old Deep Sky Magazines and found an article from Jack Marlin (Lumicon founder) They have a list of PN with observable central stars, they list the Helix (NGC 7293) as having a 13.47 mag star, spectral class sdO. I will tack the list up at SPOC when I get a chance to photo copy it. Copyrites probably prevent me from posting it on this list. It is from the Summer 1986 issue, it has a rather complete list of summer planetary nebulas for amateurs. Erik

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